a mandatory obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mandatory obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing that something is required or compulsory. Example: "All employees must adhere to a mandatory obligation to complete their training by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The court held that the board had a "mandatory obligation" to count manually.

The New York Times

Tobias Barrington Wolff, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania law school, said, "There's never been a mandatory obligation on the part of one state to recognize a marriage from another state that would violate local public policy".

The New York Times

And we have a legal ruling by a District Court of Appeal, as you say, that has held that they erred in that, that they did have a mandatory obligation to continue the count.

The New York Times

Credit cards are not considered a mandatory obligation, so people with significant credit card debt may find they can't withdraw enough money to pay those loans off, said Christopher J. Mayer, professor of real estate, finance and economics at Columbia Business School, who is also a partner in a start-up company, Longbridge Financial, that provides reverse mortgages.

The New York Times

Including the Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that characteristically binds international financial institutions with a mandatory obligation.

Huffington Post

"That means people are scared to report child abuse even though we have a mandatory obligation to report child abuse anywhere in Australia".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"So we invented this I think appalling system of having statements for the most disabled, under which the local authority would have experts to assess the child, and then a statutory, mandatory obligation to satisfy these needs.

The Guardian - Books

That is a mandatory duty.

The New York Times

And finally, the Clark question itself: To what extent does a mandatory reporting obligation transform a "civil" adult into a State proxy?

Huffington Post

It thus laid to rest the defense argument that a mandatory reporting obligation per se converts non-law enforcement personnel into proxies for law enforcement.

Huffington Post

"Spouses have one mandatory obligation — 'First Do No Harm' — and one optional assignment: provide a positive magnifying force," Mary Matalin, editor at large for Threshold Editions, a division of Simon & Schuster, and a former member of Dick Cheney's staff, wrote in an e-mail.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a mandatory obligation", ensure the context clearly indicates who is bound by the obligation and what actions are required. Specify any consequences for non-compliance to underscore the seriousness of the obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "a mandatory obligation" when describing actions that are merely encouraged or suggested. "Mandatory" implies a requirement, not an option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mandatory obligation" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies something as a requirement that must be fulfilled. Ludwig AI also confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mandatory obligation" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a requirement or duty that must be fulfilled. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a variety of authoritative sources, including news media, scientific publications, and formal business documents. The phrase carries a neutral to professional tone, suggesting its suitability for a range of formal contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is bound by the obligation and what actions are required, and avoid using it to describe actions that are merely suggested or encouraged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a compulsory duty

Emphasizes the legally required nature of the obligation.

a required responsibility

Highlights the element of accountability and duty.

an obligatory task

Focuses on the specific action that must be performed.

a statutory requirement

Stresses that the obligation is defined by law.

a non-discretionary commitment

Underscores the lack of choice in fulfilling the obligation.

an unavoidable necessity

Highlights the essential and inescapable nature of the obligation.

a prescribed action

Emphasizes that the course of action is predetermined.

a binding commitment

Stresses that the promise/agreement is legally enforceable.

a legal imperative

Highlights the legally binding and critical nature of the obligation.

a mandated responsibility

Implies that the responsibility has been officially ordered.

FAQs

How can I use "a mandatory obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "a mandatory obligation" to describe a duty or requirement that must be fulfilled, like, "The company has "a mandatory obligation" to report safety incidents to the regulatory agency".

What is a good alternative to "a mandatory obligation"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a compulsory duty", "a required responsibility", or "an obligatory task" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "a mandatory obligation" and "a legal obligation"?

"A legal obligation" specifically refers to an obligation enforced by law. "A mandatory obligation" can encompass requirements that are not necessarily legally binding but are still strictly enforced within a specific context, though a legal obligation implies that.

When should I use "a mandatory obligation" instead of "a voluntary commitment"?

Use "a mandatory obligation" when the action is required and there are consequences for not complying. Use "a voluntary commitment" when the action is undertaken willingly and without external pressure.